Oslo on "top-destinations" list for 2013

The New York Times has named Oslo as one of the 46 most attractive travel destinations in the world in 2013, and the only Scandinavian city mentioned in the ranking.

Oslo is in good company among destinations like Rio De Janeiro, Accra and Ningxia on the American newspaper's top-travel list for 2013.

The newly developed downtown neighborhood Tjuvholmen and the brand new Astrup Fearnley Museum have both contributed to polishing up people's impression of Oslo. Oslo is not so easy to ignore anymore among the other Scandinavian capitals, the New York Times reports.

Gourmet-restaurant Maaemo is also mentioned in the article. It was recently awarded two Michelin-stars despite being open for only a year.

"This is all related to Oslo's city development the past years, and with the phenomenal amount of attention from the U.S. last year in association with the opening of the Astrup Fearnley Museum and the sale of the Munch painting "Scream" at Sotheby's in New York," says Tor E. Sannerud, CEO of VisitOslo.

However, Sannerud thinks that Norway could become even better at promoting its capital rather than only focusing on fjords and mountains.

"There is more focus on our national cultural heritage such as churches rather than opera and art. Maybe we should care a little bit more about Oslo being Norway's biggest destination, Sannerud wonders.

Norway has built several large cultural centers over the past few years, including the Opera House in Bjørvika and the Holmenkollen ski jump, ski arena and stadium.

"And there will probably be more investments to come in the near future. I don't think we have ever seen this many investments in culture in Oslo as we have these past ten years, Sannerud tells Aftenposten.